Perusing the Blazers media guide today, attempting to educate myself in preparation for the upcoming season. Here's a few random stats and notable accomplishments from last season I thought were worth passing along ...

* Blazers were 22-8 against the Eastern Conference, best in the Western Conference. Out of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference, Portland posted the best record against the Central (8-2), losing twice to Cleveland.

* The Blazers were 32-20 against the West. Of the West's Top 8 last season, five teams had a better record against conference foes than did Portland: Lakers, Nuggets, Spurs, Rockets, Jazz.

* The Blazers were stellar in games decided by three points or less, winning nine out of the 10 occasions. A 109-108 loss to Orlando off a banked three pointer by Hedo Turkoglu serves as the lone L.

* Only the Cavs (39-2), Lakers (35-6) and Celtics (35-6) held better home records than the Blazers (34-7). Portland (20-21) held the fouth-best road record in the West. The Lakers (29-12), Spurs (26-15), Nuggets (21-20) and Hornets (21-20) each posted better road records. Portland's first-round opponent, Houston, also finished the regular season with a 20-21 on the road.

* Portland was the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the league last season, while 27th in defensive rebounding (a point of emphasis from McMillan this season).

* The Blazers finished in the top half of the league in eight statistical categories: field goals attempted (15), field goal percentage (8), offensive rebounding (1), total rebounds (T12), assists (12), blocks (13), turnovers (8) and points (14).

* Portland was the first team in NBA history to win 50 games with four rookies appearing in 50-plus contests.

Playoff numbers

* Joel Przybilla set a franchise high for shots blocked in a half (5) against the Rockets in Game 6.

* The Blazers set new highs for three-point field goals made in both one game (10) and one half (7) during Game 3.

Dec. 1 - Brandon Roy is named Western Conference Player of the Week for his performance during Portland's four-game winning streak from Nov. 24-30.

Dec. 18 - In Portland's 124-119 win over Phoenix, Brandon Roy notches a career-high 52 points, the second-most points ever scored by a Trail Blazer. The 52 points are the most scored by any NBA player in Portland in the history of the franchise. His 19 free throws made (of 21) also mark a franchise record.

Jan. 24 - Brandon Roy ties a franchise record with 10 steals (Clyde Drexler, Larry Steele) at home vs. Washington. The 10 thefts are also the most by an NBA player in a game in 2008-09. Portland's 21 steals are also the most by an NBA team in 2008-09.

Feb. 22 - Steve Blake dishes 14 first-quarter assists (no turnovers) to tie for the most assists by a player in a quarter in NBA history and the most ever in the first quarter. The 14 assists are the most by a Trail Blazer in a quarter in team history and also set a franchise record for assists in a half.

Mar. 21 - Nate McMillan becomes the second-youngest coach in the past 20 years to reach 350 career wins after a 96-84 victory at Milwaukee … With two blocks, Joel Przybilla passes Bill Walton for sixth place among Portland's all-time leaders in blocked shots.

Apr. 3 - Portland's 107-72 romp at Oklahoma City marks the Trail Blazers' fourth straight victory by 20 or more points for only the second time in franchise history.

Apr. 5 - With a Phoenix loss to Dallas, the Trail Blazers clinch a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2003 - a six-year drought. The gap in playoff appearances was the longest current streak in the NBA and longest in Trail Blazers history since first making the playoffs in 1977.

Apr. 13 - Brandon Roy earns Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the second time in 2008-09 and the fourth time in his career, joining Clyde Drexler as one of two Trail Blazers to win the award at least four times.

Apr. 15 - Rudy Fernandez sets a new NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season with 159, passing Kerry Kittles' 158 with six threes on the last day of the season ... The Trail Blazers defeat the Denver Nuggets, 104-76, to become Northwest Division Co-Champions, finish with a 54-28 record and earn home court advantage in a first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets.

Apr. 17 - Behind a 7-1 month to close the regular season, Nate McMillan is named the NBA's Western Conference Coach of the Month, garnering the award in the second consecutive season.

Apr. 30 - Rudy Fernandez is named to the 2008-09 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team by a vote of NBA head coaches.

May 13 - Brandon Roy is named to the All-NBA Second Team after averaging a league 10th-best 22.6 points per game and leading Portland to its most wins, 54, since 1999-2000. He becomes the first Trail Blazer to garner All-NBA accolades since Clyde Drexler in 1991-92.